David Hasselhoff in ‘Knight Rider’. Photo: Universal Television/NBC.
Preview:
- A new movie based on 1980s action series ‘Knight Rider’ is in the works.
- Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg and Josh Heald are in talks to develop it.
- Universal is backing the idea.
Sometimes, you come across a package for a movie that feels like the perfect match of subject matter and creative team.
In this case, it’s classic 1980s action TV series ‘Knight Rider’ (which helped turn David Hasselhoff into a star) and Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg and Josh Heald, who know a thing or two about breathing fresh life into an ‘80s property via ‘Karate Kid’ spin-off series ‘Cobra Kai’.
“Michael Knight is today’s hero! Driving the car of tomorrow! Together, they’re the ultimate crimecrashers!”
Air Date: September 26th, 1982
Networks:
Universal has been developing a new movie take on the ‘Knight Rider’ concept for a while now, and The Hollywood Reporter has learned that the ‘Cobra Kai’ trio are in talks to write, produce and in terms of Hurwitz and Schlossberg, direct the eventual movie.
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What’s the story of ‘Knight Rider’?
David Hasselhoff in ‘Knight Rider’. Photo: Universal Television/NBC.
Broadcast on NBC between 1982 to 1986 and created by prolific TV producer Glen A. Larson, ‘Knight Rider’ was a key series of the era, featuring a ridiculous high-concept, a hunky lead, and a memorable synth theme.
Hasselhoff starred as Michael Knight, a detective who becomes an agent for FLAG, the Foundation for Law and Government, and is partnered with KITT, a modified, artificially intelligent and indestructible Trans Am (whose computer system was voiced by William Daniels). Together, the two sped head-on to fight criminals who operate above the law.
The show became a cult favorite, and there have been attempts to re-imagine it in the past, including various TV movies and two short-lived TV series updates, ‘Team Knight Rider’ in 1997 and ‘Knight Rider’ in 2008.
A previous version of this new movie had a script by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider, but the ‘Cobra Kai’ producers will no doubt bring their own spin to it. Chances of a Hoff cameo? Fair to good!
Also producing this one are filmmaker David Leitch and wife/producing partner Kelly McCormick via their 87North company.
What else are Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg and Josh Heald working on?
(L to R) Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg, and Josh Heald attend Netflix’s ‘Cobra Kai’ Series Finale World Premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on February 12, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix.
With ‘Cobra Kai’ now wrapped after six successful seasons on Netflix, the trio have been exploring other projects.
They’re attached to a fourth ‘Harold & Kumar’ movie, looking to re-ignite the films that gave Hurwitz and Schlossberg their start in the business.
Plus, they’ve talked about potential ‘Cobra Kai’ spin-offs in development. With production company Counterbalance Entertainment, they have plenty of irons in the fire.
When will the ‘Knight Rider’ movie be on screens?
Since this is still in development, Universal has not yet opted to set a release date for the movie. But if the ‘Cobra Kai’ guys figure out a story that works, this one could turbo boost on to the fast track.
(L to R) David Hasselhoff, Patricia McPherson, Peter Parros and Edward Mulhare in ‘Knight Rider’. Photo: Universal Television/NBC.
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